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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

help scared ex is going to take children

4 replies

lostbutfree · 24/05/2020 09:50

hi,
its my 1st post been meaning to do it for a while but i suppose im scared of reading what i write. Was with my ex for 15 yrs - split twice before this final time - 2 kids. kept going back because of the children and i loved him. He has always criticized, myself or people around me, to the point where i only had my parents, he got my 6 yr old boy to call me "woman" (although my little boy started to refuse and said to him you say it daddy), has said to our 10yr old daughter she needs to have a better education as she cant do the same as a man can.

Constantly commented on my weight, cooking, house, when i wasn't working as i was taking care of the children, house and him stated what have done all day, we would have the "chat" every few months where i would sit and listen to all the things i don't do, such as pay him attention, if not happy then to leave, he will never leave me, its all my fault im moody, no fun, blah blah blah. (this was a 2-3hr chat on average)

So in the last 7 years he has bought a house in his name only explained this was because the bank wouldn't lend him the money he needed if he had dependents (me and the children), thought we were a team, so didn't mind, arranged to get married 1 yr ago all booked and paid for dresses bought etc (my family paid) for him to want a prenup as i had left him 7 yrs prior, and he didn't want me to take half the house, said yer no problem, phone call to solicitor found out it would mean nothing as the house was bought after we had kids - he cancelled wedding 6 months before date! anyway stayed for the kids even though this hurt me terribly, more comments and " the chats".he paid most of bills ( i contributed as much as i could with no income or allowance), i always did the food shop when he was working so he gave me his card to do this, but he then stopped that as i was "spending to much" i then started to look at things differently, we weren't a team, i had nothing after 14 yrs, so was totally reliant on him, so i started to save a little,

Then when my youngest went to school i got a full time job which i enjoy, started to feel like me, made some good friends. He told me my boss would take advantage of me working hard for crap money! plus so much more.

So covid19 happened hes not working, but i am, bans kids from seeing grandad, wont leave the kids with me alone in case i rang my father and let kids speak to him, asked for all my wages as he is not working - arguments follow but agreed to give him 3/4 (i was contributing before and buying stuff for house kids etc) - told that he is disappointed in me 1st for not supporting him with the grandad ban i should put him 1st, and for just not agreeing into giving him every penny i earn i a month into his bank account.

Anyway all came to ahead 3 weeks ago, he wanted my wage slip, pin for bank card to go and get a statement - this was final straw, told me to F**k off and hes keeping the kids, but i managed to leave with my 2 children and 3 bags of clothes, arranged to collect all my and childrens stuff, asked for stuff that i paid for or family had gifted - all i got was rubbish from attic, no beds for children, and some clothes. he kept everything that was worth something, so i now have to pay for a whole house of stuff to make a home for my children. in his deluded mind he has convinced himself i left for another bloke, even though i said his actions and decisions are the reason we are where we are now.

i have made arrangements via solictior (informal agreement), for him to have weekend contact, but after the way he has behaved im scared to death he will take my children as thats all i have left he can use to hurt me. there is so much more but this post is long enough, i feel frightened, scared, unsure but most of all worried for my children.

any advice?

OP posts:
lucy2204 · 25/05/2020 11:45

I have no advice hun but il bump it for you I'm sure someone will come along!

Stay strong you sound like a great mum💐

RandomMess · 25/05/2020 11:53

I would speak to the solicitor and tell them your concerns and that you would like to have a CAO with power of arrest attached - however I'm not sure if you can get his without him first refusing to return them.

First thing is to ensure that the child benefit is in your name and give them your current address and alert them them that you have left an abusive situation and you have always been the primary carer and that you do not agree to the CB being transferred for either or both children.

Ensure you register the DC with your address and GP, dentist, school etc. Speak with your GP and reach out for counselling support for you and the DC.

Find out the legal process for going to court to get the DC returned when there is no court order.

Dery · 25/05/2020 11:56

If you are concerned about him taking the children, you could apply for a prohibited steps order. Your solicitor should be able to advise on this. You might also want to look at getting access regulated by court order ASAP because it makes it easier to establish what constitutes a breach and what you can then do about it including possibly even involving the police if he tries to keep them for too long.

Alternatively, if you are genuinely concerned that he might harm the children, consider with your solicitor whether you could withhold access for now and leave it to him to apply for a court order and perhaps supervised access.

But really you do need to work this through with your solicitor who knows the full story and what’s legally possible.

needhandhold · 26/05/2020 06:58

Firstly, well done on getting out. That’s incredibly brave and it’s really hard with small kids so bravo to you. Seriously. That’s brilliant. Keep in mind how strong you’ve been. You don’t need to describe everything he’s done. We all know that for somebody like you to get out the way you have, that it must be bad. Don’t let him have access until the solicitor has drawn up papers. Get a prohibited steps order and a residency order. Get that done before letting the kids go to him. Say he’s unstable and unpredictable and you’re worried he won’t return. If they go to him and he refuses to return them then you need to be protected. Speak to the solicitor.

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